News Release

June 20, 2003 - Vendors
urged to get ready for new sales tax rates

COLUMBUS (June 20, 2003) – Ohio vendors are
encouraged to begin re-programming their cash registers
and/or computers now in order to comply with the new six per
cent state sales tax rate that becomes effective July 1.

"We know this is a short time frame," Ohio Tax Commissioner
Thomas M. Zaino said of the effective date of the new tax
rate. The new rate, going from five to six percent, was
approved early Friday morning as part of the state’s new
budget bill. Zaino said the Ohio Department of Taxation is
updating its web page to provide new rate schedules and other
information vendors need to comply with the new state tax
rate. Three Ohio counties will also see their county sales tax
rates change. With the changes in state and local taxes, the
rates will go from 6 to 7.5 percent in Champaign County, from
5.5 to 6.75 percent in Hancock County and 5.25 to 6.5 percent
in Stark County.

Information on the new rates can be found at the Ohio
Department of Taxation web site, http://tax.ohio.gov/

Questions can also be answered by calling 1-888-405-4039.

--30--

For more information contact John Meekins, Ohio Department of
Taxation, 614-466-0693.